Developmental Psychology Study Notes
1. Piaget's Cognitive Development Stages
Jean Piaget proposed four stages of cognitive development:
- Sensorimotor (0-2 years): Learning through senses and actions; object permanence emerges.
- Preoperational (2-7 years): Symbolic thinking develops; egocentrism and centration are common.
- Concrete Operational (7-11 years): Logical thinking about concrete events; understanding of
conservation.
- Formal Operational (12+ years): Abstract and hypothetical reasoning develop.
2. Erikson's Psychosocial Stages
Erik Erikson outlined 8 stages of psychosocial development, each with a core conflict, e.g., Identity
vs. Role Confusion (adolescence). Success leads to virtue development (e.g., fidelity, autonomy),
while failure can result in psychological struggles.
3. Nature vs. Nurture Debate
This debate addresses whether genetics (nature) or environment (nurture) has more influence on
development. Most contemporary psychologists agree development is a result of interaction
between genes and environment (epigenetics).
4. Attachment Theory (Bowlby & Ainsworth)
Attachment is a deep emotional bond formed in early life.
- Secure Attachment: Child uses caregiver as a secure base.
- Insecure Attachment: Includes avoidant, resistant, and disorganized types.
- Ainsworth's Strange Situation experiment helped identify these styles.
5. Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory
Lev Vygotsky emphasized social interaction in cognitive development. His key concepts include:
- Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): Difference between what a child can do alone vs. with help.
1. Piaget's Cognitive Development Stages
Jean Piaget proposed four stages of cognitive development:
- Sensorimotor (0-2 years): Learning through senses and actions; object permanence emerges.
- Preoperational (2-7 years): Symbolic thinking develops; egocentrism and centration are common.
- Concrete Operational (7-11 years): Logical thinking about concrete events; understanding of
conservation.
- Formal Operational (12+ years): Abstract and hypothetical reasoning develop.
2. Erikson's Psychosocial Stages
Erik Erikson outlined 8 stages of psychosocial development, each with a core conflict, e.g., Identity
vs. Role Confusion (adolescence). Success leads to virtue development (e.g., fidelity, autonomy),
while failure can result in psychological struggles.
3. Nature vs. Nurture Debate
This debate addresses whether genetics (nature) or environment (nurture) has more influence on
development. Most contemporary psychologists agree development is a result of interaction
between genes and environment (epigenetics).
4. Attachment Theory (Bowlby & Ainsworth)
Attachment is a deep emotional bond formed in early life.
- Secure Attachment: Child uses caregiver as a secure base.
- Insecure Attachment: Includes avoidant, resistant, and disorganized types.
- Ainsworth's Strange Situation experiment helped identify these styles.
5. Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory
Lev Vygotsky emphasized social interaction in cognitive development. His key concepts include:
- Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): Difference between what a child can do alone vs. with help.
